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Richard Bates @discript.com · 27/09/2026

Where has all that borrowed money gone?

Richard Bates @discript.com · 24/09/2026

Enjoying A Midsummer Night’s Dream at @chichesterft.bsky.social tonight. Wild, wonderful show that’s like a rave, but the theatre should be filled with more people. Shakespeare, but psychedelic, energetic, erotic, exciting, electrifying. If you haven’t seen it, buy a ticket. We loved it!

Chichester Festival Theatre illuminated during the interval.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 20/09/2026

Powerful speech this morning from @libdemdaisy.bsky.social promising to Get Britain Growing Again at the #LibDemConferemce in Brighton. 🔶 📈

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 20/09/2026

At #LibDemConference today @eddavey.libdems.org.uk says he is against the mansion tax, but in favour of maintaining the triple lock on pensions.

Ed Davey answers questions at the Liberal Democrat Conference in Brighton, 20 September.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 20/09/2026

Back at #LibDemConference again this morning for this important motion for #ActiveTravel.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 04/09/2026

Reality shows in the UK:

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 01/09/2026

Refreshing recognition from the PM today of the challenges of funding #SocialCare and of the economic inequality faced by so many people in Britain today. His determination is grounds for optimism.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 31/08/2026

Exactly. It all started with Milton Friedman and Ronald McDonald.

Image of Ronald Reagan and his administration with meme “They actually believed us when we called it ‘Trickle-down economics’” laughing uproariously.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 29/08/2026

Our Bengal gives a toothy yawn for #Caturday. Beware those sharp incisors and molars.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 15/08/2026

Received this #SevereAlert warning 4 times last night, the first buzzing loudly while cycling across a busy trunk road. Has our UK government finally recognised the severe #ClimateEmergency? Will it amend its policies accordingly, e.g. by refusing licenses to drill fossil fuels in the North Sea?

Image of message sent to mobile phones in the UK on 15 August. It reads:

Severe Alert
Issued by the UK Government
Yesterday, 21:35
There is a very high risk of wildfires nationally. Residents, landowners and visitors should not undertake any activity that could start a fire, including disposable barbecues, firepits, garden incinerators or fireworks. Even a small flame can rapidly develop into a major wildfire placing lives, homes, businesses and emergency responders at risk.
Follow official updates and report signs of fire immediately by calling 999. Search gov.uk/alerts for more information.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 14/08/2026

Even a short fur coat is too warm today. Just stretch it out flat on the floor near a fan.

A Bengal cat stretched out flat on the floor on a very hot day in the fifth heatwave of the summer.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 02/08/2026

Why do #cats find that boxes are much more fun to play with than store-bought toys?

Bengal cat who loves to chew cardboard tackling an empty box.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 04/07/2026

Too bad. Have a cat stretched out in a summer ray of sunshine for #Caturday.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 27/06/2026

The new cocktail for the 4th of July is called the Reflecting Pool.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 14/06/2026

Oxford Street, central London, Saturday night. Outside a major retailer, homeless people have set up their beds for the night under the canopy in case it rains.

Homeless people sleeping outside a department store in central London on a Saturday night.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 28/05/2026

Immaculate journalist, author, artist, polymath Edward Thorpe is approaching his centenary. His chapter in our book #WhoCares? describes how he looked after his late wife, screenwriter Gillian Freeman, after her stroke. They both continued to write and take part in creative activities in London.

Edward Thorpe holding a copy of “Who Cares?”, to which he contributed a chapter about caring for his late wife, writer Gillian Freeman, after her stroke.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 26/05/2026

It’s worth watching, as fiction. Maybe they will film it. But to me, it falls far short of depicting what it’s really like to be an unpaid carer. That’s what we tried to convey in our book, “Who Cares?”, which had 12 different carers writing their lived experiences.

Quote from Miranda Seymour praising “Who Cares?” Published by Discript, 2022

Quote from Valerie Grove praising “Who Cares?” Published by Discript, 2022

Quote from Baroness Eaton praising “Who Cares?” Published by Discript, 2022

Quote from Joan Bakewell praising “Who Cares?” Published by Discript, 2022

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 08/05/2026

Liberal Democrats had some good results today in West Sussex County elections. Thrilled to be elected to represent Chichester West Division.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 03/05/2026

Bengal #cats are known to sleep in their backs. But ours likes to contort the sleeping position and it looks less than comfortable. #CatSky #CatsOfBluesky

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 28/04/2026

Local elections for West Sussex County Council are coming up on 7 May. This shows why they are so important to maintain and improve our public services:

Infographic showing why county council elections in West Sussex are important, and what will follow on from the results on 7 May.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 12/04/2026

At today’s Fishbourne Literary Festival, a fundraiser for the church, prolific and popular author @ginacheynewriter.bsky.social enjoys a laugh while launching the seventh mystery novel in the SeeMs Detective Agency series.

Seven delightful cover designs in Gina Cheyne’s series of mystery novels, while the author enjoys a laugh with a reader.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 11/04/2026

One very comfortable Bengal cat in a cardboard box. #Caturday #CatSky

The look on the face of this Bengal cat shows how very comfortable a cardboard box can be. Will try any cardboard box for that perfect fit.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 04/04/2026

This tall #Bengal has such long legs they extend beyond the bed on #Caturday morning. #CatsOfBluesky

Bengal cat with very long legs curled up asleep in purple bed with one long leg extended over the edge. Do not disturb paw over its face.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 13/03/2026

No sewer connection = No home to be sold as FIT FOR HUMAN OCCUPANCY. Peaceful protest at Highgrove Saturday 14/03/26 morning. Gather 0915hrs A259 in front of the principal access point for the Highgrove Homes- just after Walton Lane on R heading towards Chichester. Please share ASAP and widely.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 06/03/2026

GP surgery notice board poster asks for VOLUNTEERS to help with #healthcare that professionals used to provide.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 02/03/2026

Kegsbreath seen in his uniform

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 14/02/2026

Rainy night at the Fishbourne roundabout. Local WwTWs have no capacity, so Southern Water tankers queue up on their way back from dumping their “storm overspill” into Chichester Harbour. The Government demands we build new houses when existing infrastructure cannot cope with the #SewageScandal.

Privatised water utilities should build much-needed wastewater treatment facilities, but instead perpetuate the sewage scandal: Tankers queuing to deliver their contents of “storm overspill” that local sewage treatment works has no capacity to process, so it will be dumped raw into Chichester Harbour (which is an AONB and SSSI).

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 06/02/2026

Can’t put wires near a Bengal. They will be chewed. Like every cardboard box in the house.

Bengal cat sitting innocently in an empty cardboard box, denying all knowledge of how it got chewed and shredded.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 06/02/2026

Do your magnificently opulent cat sofas provide under-upholstery heating? Our belligerent Bengal really feels the winter chill, and can only be appeased with a hot water bottle under his daybed on the cocktail trolley, or on his chaise-longue at night.

Bengal cat luxuriating on a bed underpinned by a hot water bottle.

Bengal cats like to sleep on their back, preferably on a chaise-longue with a hot water bottle under their bed.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 04/02/2026

Took the train (again) yesterday. Travelled on the bus (again) today. Not only is it more sustainable, but you get to meet and talk to friends and neighbours on your long or short journey on #PublicTransport.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 28/01/2026

It’s as horrific as a five-year-old Hungarian boy and his parents being apprehended by the Germans in 1943 and taken to a detention centre in Bergen-Belsen: that harrowing true story is told by Peter Lantos. www.peter-lantos.com/books/the-bo...

Cover of the bestselling book by Peter Lantos, “The Boy Who Didn’t Want To Die”, published 2024.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 17/01/2026

Remembering Gary Pulsifer, whose sixty-ninth birthday it would have been today, pictured here with me in Holland many years ago. Founder Arcadia Books, he left behind a publishing list of many distinguished writers and interesting books. Sorely missed by family and friends in the UK and the USA.

Gary Pulsifer (left) with Richard Bates enjoying springtime sunshine in Holland.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 17/01/2026

Smiling #Bengal #cat counts as a comfort and a blessing in a cold and dark English winter. #CatsOfBluesky #Caturday

Smiling Bengal cat is warm and comfortable ensconced in the cold dark English winter, reaching out a paw towards you in what seems like an invitation, but beware! He has very sharp claws and is ready to use them.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 12/01/2026

Outside County Hall, Chichester this morning where protesters led by MP @jessbrownfullermp.bsky.social rejected West Sussex County Council’s request to cancel elections for the second consecutive year.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 10/01/2026

Why do #Bengal #cats like to climb? Is it so they can look down and pounce on their prey? #Caturday

Bengal cat having climbed on top of a raised cistern in a cold lavatory in winter, looking down on its prey.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 04/01/2026

The winter mood of a #Bengal can be transformed by putting a hot water bottle under their bed and keeping it warm 24/7.

Warm Bengal cat happily asleep in a bed situated over a hot water bottle.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 28/12/2025

There’s something about our tumble drier in winter, too.

Smiling Bengal cat inside the drum of a tumble drier keeps warm on a cold winter day.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 28/12/2025

Such measures would not prevent our leaping climbing Bengal from gaining full access to that tree.

Bengal cat has leapt up on the clothes line even though it’s wet and slippery. Born to climb, nothing will deter such conquest.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 27/12/2025

Our #Bengal cat likes to sleep on his back and stretch in his bed, awake or asleep or in a trance. Reach out on #Caturday!

Photo of a sleepy Bengal cat lying on his back with his front paws stretched over the front of his bed.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 26/12/2025

We rescued our Bengal cat from the RSPCA last year. “We’re seeing a worrying rise in the number of stray and abandoned #cats, which is putting huge pressure on animal rescues across the country,” Alice Potter, cat welfare expert at the RSPCA, noted. #AdoptDontShop www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...

Smiling sleeping Bengal cat enjoying a long winter’s nap. This neutered male was a rescue cat from the RSPCA.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 13/12/2025

Autumn is damp and cold. We really should take down that clothes line. #Bengal #cat #Caturday

Photo of a Bengal cat who likes to climb trees – and a clothes line in this case.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 27/11/2025

“Right now there are a million homes across this country yet to be built that have planning permission. So that would suggest we don’t have a housing crisis – we have a building crisis.” @jessbrownfullermp.bsky.social today in Parliament on problems associated with #planning and #housing.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 22/11/2025

Convenient, or what? A warm tumble drier after the end of its cycle appeals to an inquisitive #Bengal #cat on a cold rainy autumn day. #Caturday #Cat

Inquisitive young Bengal cat sitting inside the warm drum of the tumble drier on a cold rainy autumn day.

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Richard Bates @discript.com · 22/11/2025

Cold #Caturday, so a Bengal has to stay in bed with a hot water bottle and practice walking upside down.

Cold Bengal cat with a hot water bottle under his bed, with legs extended in three directions.

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